Chapter 1 - The Day My Life Changed
So, my name is Leo. You might be wondering why you should care, and I can't really give you a reason to. I'm a rather unremarkable individual, though that's just appearances. In truth, I am a completely abnormal person that just wants to stay hidden. What am I trying to hide, exactly? Well, to simplify it, I try to hide my power. The power that I've had for as long as I can remember, and caused my life to be filled with fear of discovery.
Psychic.
I sighed as I once again reminded myself that that's why I was in this situation to begin with. That's right, I'm a psychic. It might sound fantastical or unbelievable, but I wish I was just making it up. This power caused no end of trouble, and I wish I hadn't been born with these abilities. After all, something as rare as me would only be hunted down if discovered, whether by government or some other group looking for power. After all, what world power wouldn't kill to be able to read someone's mind at a whim, move objects without touching them, or even catch glimpses of the future?
Looking around this black, featureless void, I couldn't help but ponder over the fact that my fears had been proven true. I died because of my powers, though I didn't regret what happened. Even if I died because of it, I still saved someone's life that fateful night. People taking advantage of others never sat right with me, and despite knowing the risks, I acted in a way that lead to me being discovered.
It was a simple alley mugging. Two men with knives threatening a man in a business suit, demanding his money. The idiot probably thought they wouldn't do anything, because he scoffed and tried to walk away. One of the muggers seemed to take offence to this, and tried to stab the man in the back. I used my power to redirect his swing, and redirected the knife into the mugger's leg. He screamed in pain, causing the intended victim to turn around and see the large knife now embedded in someone's leg, and he passed out. I guess he was afraid of blood. The injured mugger's friend went to help him, babbling about how bad the injury looked and that he needed a doctor. They noticed me at the end of the alley, having seen everything that had happened. The uninjured one tried to stab me, and I reacted in fear, sending him flying against the wall, knocking him out. The injured mugger simply fell to the floor, whether from fear or his leg refusing to support him anymore, and asked me what the hell I was.
"Someone you should forget about," was my response as I hurried away from the scene, eager to get away from the person who had seen me use my power. He didn't listen though, and apparently he ran with a gang. Said gang didn't like the fact that I had messed up two of their guys, so they tried to ambush me. It was pretty easy to avoid the ambush itself, considering how much killing intent the dozen or so guys were giving off, but it didn't save me in the end. There were too many of them, and rapid use of my psychic powers took its toll on my body and mind. My nose started bleeding after I knocked the first few out by using telekinesis to strike them with their own weapons, and I had felt a headache forming.
The rest is a bit of blur, admittedly. I remember pain, terror, and rage. Pain from where they managed to hit me while I was distracted, terror at the realization that I wouldn't survive this, and rage at the unfairness of it all. That saving a life meant that mine was now to be taken. I remember thinking that if these thugs wanted me dead, then I was taking them with me. After that, everything is blank. I don't know what happened next, but I assumed that either I killed myself from over exertion, or they killed me. I couldn't think of any other reason that I could be in this black void, devoid of anything but myself and my thoughts.
"You know, while I never assumed I would go to a pleasant afterlife, I didn't think it would be this boring."
It's mind numbing. Nothing to do, no one to talk to. I can't tell how much time has passed so far, but it feels like days. The human mind could only take so much boredom before simply devolving into madness, and I can feel myself starting to near that point. I'm desperate to find something, anything, to my mind occupied. Several moments passed in silence, before I couldn't stand it anymore.
"Come on! I'm bored out of my fucking mind here! Hey God, if you're real, you're an asshole!"
Panting in anger after my outburst, I noticed that some kind of light in shining in the distance, and rapidly approaching me.
"No, wait! Shit! I'm sorry!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, and turned to run. Despite my best efforts to outrun this damn light, it wasn't enough and I knew it. It was rapidly gaining on me, and I could feel a strong pressure coming from its direction.
I didn't even have the time to scream before the light engulfed me.
+=+=+
"Wa....p!"
That's...weird...
"Plea...ke up!"
I didn't think I'd hear someone else's voice again...
"Wake up! Please!"
It's so...
Groaning in pain, I slowly open my eyes. Everything is blurry, like I'm looking through misted glass. I can't see anything clearly, but there's definitely someone there.
"Who...are you?"
Whoever it is gasped, before placing their hand on my shoulder. It feels weird though, but I can't think of why.
"Oh thank our mother, thou are alive!"
My eyes were getting hard to keep open, and I could feel them slowly close without my telling them to. I can't move anything. My limbs weren't listening to me, refusing to move.
Why is...she talking to strangely?
"Do not worry, we have sent for the medics, and they shalt be here shortly. Rest now, all will be well."
My eyes refused to stay open any longer, and I could feel my consciousness fading.
"Thank...you..."
+=+=+
He's alive! We are so happy!
I don't know why this strange creature fascinated me so much. Maybe it was his long, pitch black hair that ran down his back, or his bright blue eyes that shone with relief upon seeing me, as if he was grateful that somepony was there to save him.
Regardless of the reason for my interest, he needs medical attention as soon as possible. He has lost a lot of blood, and he is still bleeding from his injuries.
Turning my head at the sound of hoofsteps quickly approaching me, I smiled at the sight of three of our royal guard medics galloping full speed towards us. They stopped in front of me, saluting. I was grateful for my own forethought of sending my guards to summon them when I first found his battered body.
"We are glad thou are here! This creature needs to be brought to the medical wing of the palace immediately! Corporal Pulse, we need your team to assist us in securing him!"
The Corporal saluted again, the fire of determination kindled by a doctor who will do anything in his power to save a life burning bright in his eyes.
"Right away, Princess Luna!"
The all unicorn team used their levitation to gently lift the poor soul, and I tried my best to remember just where the entrance to the medical wing was.
"Prepare yourselves, we are going to teleport us to the medical wing!"
I charged the familiar spell, focusing on the image I had in my mind of the part of the castle that my new friend desperately needed. Doing a double take at my own line of thinking, I almost lost my concentration on the spell.
We know nothing about him. Do we...consider him a friend already?
The poor creature had clearly been beaten, though there was more to his injuries than just that. It made me feel sad that somepony had been through that much pain. There was something else though. Something strange. I almost feel like this creature is a kindred soul. Shaking these distracting thoughts from my head, I was now entirely focused on the teleportation.
We certainly hope he will be a friend to us. Sister did say that I should make some friends...
Casting the spell, we teleported instantly to the entrance of the hospital wing with a flash of light and a noticeable sound.
Thank goodness. We feared we may have misjudged our destination.
Sighing in relief, I let Corporal Pulse and his team take over, putting him on a gurney meant for something the size of a minotaur. They started working with the doctors who were rushing to the entrance on attaching the machine that read a pony's pulse on some kind of screen, placing sticky metal pieces on specific locations. I had yet to learn the name of this machine, but that's to be expected, given how long I've been away. Our kingdom's doctors were the best bet of his survival, and I could do little but leave his life in their capable hooves.
"Please...be well..."